Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tribute to My Mom

Mary Layden Williams
10/13/22 - 1/09/12

There are many types of love, the love that God has for us, the love of a husband and wife, love of a parent for a child and of a child for their parents - plus many, many more.  I want to dedicate this card today to my mother, Mary Layden Williams.  They say when you become a mother it is to decide forever to have your heart  go walking around outside your body.    
'
My mother lived an eventful life for all of her 89 years.  She grew up during the Great Depression and had "not so fond" memories of picking cotton as a young girl.   She  enrolled in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II.  After the war, she married my father in July of 1950 in a little Baptist church near where she grew up.  She gave birth to a daughter and an only child in March 1952.  She continued to nurse in a local hospital until I was older and then devoted herself to being a parent and homemaker.  My mother suffered emotional distress from all the casualties she encountered and was frequently a patient in various VA hospitals.   Other than these stays in the hospital, she lived a full and enriched life with a husband devoted to her, her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.  About five years ago my mother was admitted to a nursing home.  She fell and broke her hip and was never able to walk again unassisted and also suffered from dementia.  My mother and I were great friends and spent many hours together in her later life after I retired.  Some of my fondest  memories after she went to the nursing home are the car trips we made all over the county of her birth.  I think we traveled every road in Perquimans County. While driving, I would ask her if she knew where we were and she would say "no", to which I would reply "neither do I"!  We had a great laugh over this and also when I would ask her how old she was.  She never remembered and when I responded she would look at me in amazement and then we would laugh at that too.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my tribute.  I am thankful for all the prayers I have received from my blogging friends.

19 comments:

Lisa Lynne said...

Marsha, That's a beautiful tribute to your mom and a very beautiful card. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugs,
Lisa Lynne

Carla S. said...

What a beautiful card and tribute to your Mom, Marsha. She sounds like she was a very special woman. I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.

craftieodmae said...

Sounds like your mom was an amazing lady. Be thankful you had her as long as you did and hold tight to the wonderful memories.....the card is beautiful!

Cec said...

Marsha, I am so sorry for your loss but know that she will always be with you because she has moved to a special place in your heart. Your Mother does sound like a special lady and it is so nice that you had such a loving relationship with her. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Hugs!
Cec

Ana Carolina Little said...

Marsha, you brought tears to my eyes. Lovely story. Lucky of you to enjoy your mother till the end. Now she is in peace with all her great memories from life. God bless you. Have a wonderful day and... BEAUTIFUL CARD!!!

Danni said...

Thinking of you..hugs!

kiwimeskreations said...

Marsha this is a beautiful card and a wonderful tribute - so glad for you that you had you mother with you for so long - and what a comfort to know that you will be together again one day.
Blessings
Maxine

Glenda said...

Such a sweet tribute to your mom. My prayers are with you my friend.

Heide said...

Marsha,
What a lovely tribute ( both the story and card) to your mom...
My prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of your loss.

Hugs, Heide

coldwaters2 said...

Marsha this is the most beautiful tribute I have seen, the card is stunning, your mother sounds as if she was a special lady. Thank you for sharing not only the card but some of your memories.
hugs
Lorraine x

Pam said...

Absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful tribute to your Mom.

Laura (sandytoz) said...

Beautiful card. So glad to hear that you spent time with your Mom before she passed away, precious memories. Made me laugh when you both got lost!
May you give yourself time to heal and mourn. Thanks for sharing with us.
Love, Laura

Renee Cassidy said...

Bless you and your family. It's hard to lose a parent, regardless of their age. You have created a lovely card in her memory.

Anonymous said...

Marsha what a great tribute to your Mom, it also hit close to home with me. My mother has been gone 11 years, but she also fell and broke her hip, and then demintia set in, and like yo there were funny times as well as bad times that we spent together. I am so sorry for your loss, and will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs Joan Osborne

Jacq said...

Such a beautiful card and tribute to your mum, Marsha. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Rene said...

What a lovely tribute! And a wonderful card you made.
Hugs to you.
Keep all those wonderful memories in your heart!

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Wonderful tribute to your mom. I'm sincerely sorry for your loss and am happy that you have such beautiful memories. You have made an absolutely gorgeous card as a tribute - I love everything about it.

Hugs and prayers,
Linda

Marianne said...

Wonderful tribute and gorgeous card.

Patti P. said...

Marsha, I am so sorry that I have been out of the loop and missed this posting. I will say a prayer for you and your family and I think your tribute is such a beautiful memorial to what was a fabulous woman. Take care of yourself and keep those memories close. Beautiful card.
hugs....

I love to read your comments!

I love to read your comments!